[InFocus] In Focus

[su-infocus at southwestern.edu]

 IN FOCUS: December 15, 2006
 
* TOP NEWS *
	  	*CALENDAR *
*SOUTHWESTERN RANKS ABOVE PEER INSTITUTIONS IN NATIONAL SURVEY OF 
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT*
	  	

*December*

*19* Women's basketball vs. University of Mary Hardin Baylor, 6 p.m.

*28* Women's basketball vs. Concordia (Ill.), 5 p.m.

*29* Consolation/championship basketball game, 1 and 3 p.m.

*29* Men's basketball vs. Swarthmore College, 8 p.m.

*30* Men's basketball vs. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, 8 p.m.

*January*

*6* Swimming vs. Austin College and University of the Incarnate Word,
2 p.m.

*14* Women's basketball vs. Colorado College, 6 p.m.


Results from a recent national survey show that students at Southwestern 
University rank above students at peer institutions - and significantly 
above the national average - when it comes to being engaged in their 
academic endeavors.

The findings come from the 2006 National Survey of Student Engagement 
(NSSE), which was sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the 
Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Indiana University 
Center for Survey Research.

The NSSE is given annually to first-year students and seniors. This is 
the fifth year that Southwestern has participated in the study. 
Forty-five percent of eligible Southwestern students responded to the 
2006 survey. Nationwide, about 260,000 students from 523 four-year 
colleges and universities participated in the survey.

The survey measures five areas that are associated with high levels of 
learning and development: level of academic challenge, active and 
collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, enriching 
educational experiences, and supportive campus environment.

Southwestern was in the top 10 percent of schools nationally in the 
areas of student-faculty interaction and enriching educational 
experiences. It also ranked above its peer group in the other three areas.

The section on student-faculty interaction asks students questions such 
as whether they have discussed ideas from their classes with faculty 
members outside of class, worked with faculty members on research 
projects outside of class or talked about career plans with a faculty 
member or advisor.

The section on enriching educational experiences asks students whether 
they have participated in complementary learning opportunities such as 
co-curricular activities, internships, community service or volunteer 
work, study abroad or a senior capstone project.

"The survey gives us an idea of how well we are doing from the students' 
perspective," said Provost Jim Hunt.

Colleges and universities can use the NSSE to identify areas where 
changes are needed in policies, curriculum and allocation of resources.

For example, as a result of student responses to NSSE, Southwestern has 
implemented additional social and recreational opportunities on 
weekends, more comprehensive health and wellness services, and 
living/learning communities. In addition, budgets for social activities 
with students and faculty have been created, collaborative research 
opportunities continue to develop, and community-based learning 
opportunities are expanding.

The NSSE also is one of several new instruments that can help consumers 
differentiate between schools.

"Prospective students and their parents can use the survey to help them 
find a college or university that provides enriching educational 
experiences that meet their goals and objectives," Hunt said.

To see the results of Southwestern's 2006 NSSE survey, visit 
www.southwestern.edu/nsse.

For more information on the National Survey of Student Engagement, visit 
www.nsse.iub.edu.

* EVENTS *
*FACULTY FORUM*

There is no Faculty Forum scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18.

MEDIA COVERAGE

The/ Austin Business Journal/ ran an op-ed piece by President Jake 
Schrum titled "College education still remains a bargain." Read the 
article online at 
http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2006/12/11/editorial1.html

The /Austin American-Statesman/ and the/ Williamson County Sun/ ran 
stories on Southwestern's inclusion in a new Carnegie Classification for 
colleges that demonstrate community engagement.

NOTE

This will be the last edition of /In Focus/ for the fall semester. The 
first issue of the spring semester will be published Jan. 12. 
Southwestern University will be closed from Dec. 22 through Jan. 1. 
Happy Holidays!

 
 
 
 
  	  	 

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